Hey, look what I found.
Jesus Freaks. It's a book by an awesome Christian band called dc Talk, with help from The Voice of the Martyrs.
Jesus Freaks is about all the Christians who have been killed just because they say they're Christians. Isn't that terrible? This book is great, and you don't have to read it like a novel. You can just pick it up whenever you have time, read one section, and then go do something else. It's pretty cool.
Remember the Lord's people who are in jail and be concerned for them. Don't forget those who are suffering, but imagine that you are there with them. - Hebrews 15:3
24.4.08
10 C's: Honoring Mom & Dad
“Mom, can I go to Carrie’s party this Saturday?” I asked. I looked at her and she thought about it.
“Carrie, the girl from school that you’re always telling me about? The Carrie that talks smack to teachers and has been caught smoking more than a few times?” My Mom shook her head. “I don’t know if I want you going to a party hosted by a girl with that character.
“But Mo-om!” I whined. “Everyone’s going to be there!”
She shook her head again. “No. I’m sorry, but I don’t want you getting into trouble there.”
I sighed. Man, was I disappointed! “Okay, Mom.”
“I know you’re disappointed, but please honor my decision, okay?” was her reply.
You may be thinking, “Sure it sounds easy in the story, but it’s not so easy in real life to just accept and respect your parents’ decisions.” Sure, it’s not. There’s been many times when I wanted to hurt someone because I was mad at my parents for their decision. But you have to realize that they’re just doing what they think is best for you.
Exodus 20:12 says: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord you God is giving you.
Ephesians 6:1-3 says: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother –which is the first commandment with promise –that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
The Bible commands us – kids, tweens, teens, everyone to honor and obey their parents. Not many people realize this, but God gave you to them. He gave you to them and gave them an assignment: to bring you up in the way of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children: instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord). The decisions that they make are the decisions that they think would be in the training and instruction of the Lord. Sure, they’re not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes –even parents. But we still love them all the same!
Ephesians 5: 21 says: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I was looking through my Bible for verses to do with the subject, and I think that this commentary might be interesting. Here’s what it said: The Key to SubmissionMany readers have struggled with the advice Paul gives in these paragraphs. This simple sentence sets the tone for all that follows: We are to submit to others because of our reverence for Christ. In other words, in any human relationship –husband and wife, child and parent, slave and master –a third party is involved –Christ himself. Paul urges us to conduct those relationships in light of Christ’s own Spirit. The bottom line: Though it may not be easy at times, you need to submit to and honor your parents. In fact, it’ll be hard at times, but remember their assignment. They need to bring you up in Christ, let’s help ‘em out a little, shall we!
“Carrie, the girl from school that you’re always telling me about? The Carrie that talks smack to teachers and has been caught smoking more than a few times?” My Mom shook her head. “I don’t know if I want you going to a party hosted by a girl with that character.
“But Mo-om!” I whined. “Everyone’s going to be there!”
She shook her head again. “No. I’m sorry, but I don’t want you getting into trouble there.”
I sighed. Man, was I disappointed! “Okay, Mom.”
“I know you’re disappointed, but please honor my decision, okay?” was her reply.
You may be thinking, “Sure it sounds easy in the story, but it’s not so easy in real life to just accept and respect your parents’ decisions.” Sure, it’s not. There’s been many times when I wanted to hurt someone because I was mad at my parents for their decision. But you have to realize that they’re just doing what they think is best for you.
Exodus 20:12 says: Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord you God is giving you.
Ephesians 6:1-3 says: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother –which is the first commandment with promise –that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
The Bible commands us – kids, tweens, teens, everyone to honor and obey their parents. Not many people realize this, but God gave you to them. He gave you to them and gave them an assignment: to bring you up in the way of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4: Fathers, do not exasperate your children: instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord). The decisions that they make are the decisions that they think would be in the training and instruction of the Lord. Sure, they’re not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes –even parents. But we still love them all the same!
Ephesians 5: 21 says: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
I was looking through my Bible for verses to do with the subject, and I think that this commentary might be interesting. Here’s what it said: The Key to SubmissionMany readers have struggled with the advice Paul gives in these paragraphs. This simple sentence sets the tone for all that follows: We are to submit to others because of our reverence for Christ. In other words, in any human relationship –husband and wife, child and parent, slave and master –a third party is involved –Christ himself. Paul urges us to conduct those relationships in light of Christ’s own Spirit. The bottom line: Though it may not be easy at times, you need to submit to and honor your parents. In fact, it’ll be hard at times, but remember their assignment. They need to bring you up in Christ, let’s help ‘em out a little, shall we!
19.4.08
Jesus Died 4 U
We know that Jesus died on the cross so everyone could go to heaven if they asked for forgiveness and believed he is the Son of God, but did you know that if you were the only person on earth, Jesus would have still come to earth and died for you? You’re that special. You’re not just mixed in a crowd of faces to Jesus. No, you’re one of a kind, and Jesus loves you.
22.3.08
Happy Easter!
Colored eggs, baby chicks, a person dressed up in a big bunny costume… Easter is a fun holiday, especially when you’re a kid. And if the presents the "Easter Bunny" leaves you aren’t cool enough, check out the candy! It’s almost Easter, and now is a really important time to figure out what this holiday is all about.
Easter is a time of new beginnings. Ever wonder why the classic Easter symbols are baby animals? Easter is in the Spring, a time when animals are being born. There’s another reason Easter is full of beginnings. Jesus, our Savior, came back to life on Easter! How cool is that?
What better time is there to read the story of Easter than now? Go ahead, open up to one of the Gospels (New Testament section) and read about Easter. And, if you’re having company over, get everyone to sit down in the same room, and you can read a bit of that story to them! That’d be really cool – sharing God’s love and reminding us that Easter is more than just parading through the yard in search of plastic eggs filled with candy and quarters.
Easter is a time of new beginnings. Ever wonder why the classic Easter symbols are baby animals? Easter is in the Spring, a time when animals are being born. There’s another reason Easter is full of beginnings. Jesus, our Savior, came back to life on Easter! How cool is that?
What better time is there to read the story of Easter than now? Go ahead, open up to one of the Gospels (New Testament section) and read about Easter. And, if you’re having company over, get everyone to sit down in the same room, and you can read a bit of that story to them! That’d be really cool – sharing God’s love and reminding us that Easter is more than just parading through the yard in search of plastic eggs filled with candy and quarters.
21.3.08
What are you thankful for?
Check Yourself Out
What are you thankful for? What good things or people make your life as great as it is? And don’t say, "There’s nothing to be thankful for!" There is something, big or small, in everyone’s life, that makes you feel like smiling.
Make a list of everything that you’re thankful for, and post it in the comments to share with other people. Really think about this. Jot down everything that you’re thankful for – no matter how big or small. You’re thankful for being alive (a big one). You’re thankful for having an allowance raise (a small one). Think of things that you usually don’t think about that still are good things in your life. You might not know it, but you’re probably thankful that there are those pretty wildflowers scattered across your field, or the birds that fly above the trees in your backyard. Post it in the comments.
God wants us to be thankful for every little thing that is good. He also want us to thank him for that. He made those wildflowers, he made those birds, he made your best friend, and he softened your mom’s heart so you’d get that allowance raise! So, after making your list, start praying, thanking God for each and every thing. Your list will probably be long – post it anyway!
What are you thankful for? What good things or people make your life as great as it is? And don’t say, "There’s nothing to be thankful for!" There is something, big or small, in everyone’s life, that makes you feel like smiling.
Make a list of everything that you’re thankful for, and post it in the comments to share with other people. Really think about this. Jot down everything that you’re thankful for – no matter how big or small. You’re thankful for being alive (a big one). You’re thankful for having an allowance raise (a small one). Think of things that you usually don’t think about that still are good things in your life. You might not know it, but you’re probably thankful that there are those pretty wildflowers scattered across your field, or the birds that fly above the trees in your backyard. Post it in the comments.
God wants us to be thankful for every little thing that is good. He also want us to thank him for that. He made those wildflowers, he made those birds, he made your best friend, and he softened your mom’s heart so you’d get that allowance raise! So, after making your list, start praying, thanking God for each and every thing. Your list will probably be long – post it anyway!
18.3.08
10 Cs: Swearing & Cussing
Hey. It’s been a busy month! In the last issue, we looked at not putting any gods before the One God, and not worshipping idols (which include video games, looks, and TV). This week, we’re going to look at Commandments #3-4, where God tells us to keep the Sabbath holy and to not say God’s name in vain (can you say "cussing"?).
Do not take God’s name in vain. (Exodus 20:7) God shouldn’t been an empty, no-meaning word to you, because God’s name is full of meaning. Use His name only in a loving way, and count on Him to help you every day.
Cussing, Swearing, and all that Stuff. "Oh, ____!" she said in a fit of anger that her curling iron wouldn’t work. I gasped. Had my best friend just cussed? And because of something so small and insignificant?!? I tried to brush it off, but I couldn’t. Cussing really bugged me. I coughed loudly – our signal that she just cussed. "Sorry," she apologized. "I know you don’t like it."
Do your friends cuss? Does your family cuss? Do you cuss? It’s wrong. That may sound all goody-goody and holy, but think about the meaning. You’re using God’s holy name as a bad word when you’re angry. True, you can confess your angers and frustrations to him, but his name should not be used badly in the process.
Some or all of my friends cuss. Is that a bad thing? Will it really rub off on me?
I’m afraid that you’re going to have to honor God and maybe find a different group of friends to hang out with until your old friends find different words to stress their anger. Yes, over time, eventually, you may find yourself using a few of those words without even trying to or realizing it! We’re not saying that if your friend says a little something when mad, then they must be a bad and horrible person. But, if they can’t respect the fact that you don’t cuss and would rather they not, are they really your friend?
My family cusses and I try not to. I’ve asked them not to either, but they disregard me and cuss anyway. How do I deal with this?
We admire that you don’t want to be in an environment where cussing is normal. What you need to do is sit down with your parent(s) and tell them everything. You need to stress that you don’t want to cuss, will not cuss, and that it’s wrong to cuss. Then, ask them if they will please help you with this by not cussing themselves. Chances are, they’ll understand and find other words to use when they’re angry or disappointed.
I cuss a lot. Sometimes I do it accidentally. I want to get it out of my system, but it seems natural. What do I do?
Pray and ask God to give the wisdom and accountability and alertness to tone down your language. Watch what you say. Look at people who don’t cuss and hear what they say when they’re mad. Find a role model, a role model that doesn’t cuss. Eventually, by listening to them and following them, you will get it out of your system.
Weird but true. So, instead of swearing, a lot of people use "safe" swear words. "Gosh" is "God", "Jeez" is "Jesus", "Oh my Word" is talking about the Bible, "Dang" is a modification of "d*mn", which is sending someone to Hell. And, believe it or not, that weird "Gadzooks"? That originally was "God’s Hooks", referring to the nails is Jesus’ hand. So really, they’re not any better than actually saying the "bad word".
Do not take God’s name in vain. (Exodus 20:7) God shouldn’t been an empty, no-meaning word to you, because God’s name is full of meaning. Use His name only in a loving way, and count on Him to help you every day.
Cussing, Swearing, and all that Stuff. "Oh, ____!" she said in a fit of anger that her curling iron wouldn’t work. I gasped. Had my best friend just cussed? And because of something so small and insignificant?!? I tried to brush it off, but I couldn’t. Cussing really bugged me. I coughed loudly – our signal that she just cussed. "Sorry," she apologized. "I know you don’t like it."
Do your friends cuss? Does your family cuss? Do you cuss? It’s wrong. That may sound all goody-goody and holy, but think about the meaning. You’re using God’s holy name as a bad word when you’re angry. True, you can confess your angers and frustrations to him, but his name should not be used badly in the process.
Some or all of my friends cuss. Is that a bad thing? Will it really rub off on me?
I’m afraid that you’re going to have to honor God and maybe find a different group of friends to hang out with until your old friends find different words to stress their anger. Yes, over time, eventually, you may find yourself using a few of those words without even trying to or realizing it! We’re not saying that if your friend says a little something when mad, then they must be a bad and horrible person. But, if they can’t respect the fact that you don’t cuss and would rather they not, are they really your friend?
My family cusses and I try not to. I’ve asked them not to either, but they disregard me and cuss anyway. How do I deal with this?
We admire that you don’t want to be in an environment where cussing is normal. What you need to do is sit down with your parent(s) and tell them everything. You need to stress that you don’t want to cuss, will not cuss, and that it’s wrong to cuss. Then, ask them if they will please help you with this by not cussing themselves. Chances are, they’ll understand and find other words to use when they’re angry or disappointed.
I cuss a lot. Sometimes I do it accidentally. I want to get it out of my system, but it seems natural. What do I do?
Pray and ask God to give the wisdom and accountability and alertness to tone down your language. Watch what you say. Look at people who don’t cuss and hear what they say when they’re mad. Find a role model, a role model that doesn’t cuss. Eventually, by listening to them and following them, you will get it out of your system.
Weird but true. So, instead of swearing, a lot of people use "safe" swear words. "Gosh" is "God", "Jeez" is "Jesus", "Oh my Word" is talking about the Bible, "Dang" is a modification of "d*mn", which is sending someone to Hell. And, believe it or not, that weird "Gadzooks"? That originally was "God’s Hooks", referring to the nails is Jesus’ hand. So really, they’re not any better than actually saying the "bad word".
10 Cs: No idols.
Commandment #2: No idols. "No person or thing is more important to me than God. Even if it’s cool, God is way cooler."
Wait a second…isn’t this the same as "No other gods"? A little bit.
You don’t think I have an idol?! Uh, yeah, I do. My idol…well, I really don’t know what it is, but I am 90% sure there is something in my life that I’m holding higher than God. In the last couple of weeks, however, I’ve really gotten closer to Him, and I’m casting away my idols. Some previous ones I’ve had are my looks. Oh, I still want to look great. And I can’t leave a room without looking in the mirror. But I’m not obsessing so much anymore. In God’s eyes, my looks on the inside should be a whole lot prettier than the looks on the outside. Maybe you’re idol isn’t looks. But you do have an idol. Yep. So maybe it isn’t a potbellied statue that sits on a shelf. Is it your dad? He’s the coolest, isn’t he? Or maybe video games. Ugh, I absolutely hate how kids these days are spending all day playing video games. But video games are ok, as long as you want to be with God more than you want to be zooming Mario through a strange village to rescue Princess Peach.
Open your bible…to Isaiah 44:6-20. Isaiah goes into a detailed process of how men obsess over idols that they made themselves! Many people, even today, worship man-made idols. And all the people in the world have had idols, and probably didn’t even know it. A common idol is money. I’m not saying money is bad. I’m just saying that compared to God, money is worth as much an old raisin found under the couch cushions.
Flip to…Hosea 2, which shows that God’s people were unfaithful. No matter how good God was to them, they still worshiped idols. But God continued to love His people, knowing that without Him they were lost! So He took away their good things—not to destroy them, but to bring them to their senses—so that once again they would turn to Him and receive His blessing.
The bible says…Idols can’t help. In Isaiah 44:6-20, Isaiah pokes fun at people who cut down a tree, use part of it for firewood, and then carve an idol from the rest. Then they bow down and pray to that hunk of wood! People today are often just as foolish, counting on the wrong things to help them. Some count on wealth, others on popularity. Some count on stylish clothes, other on athletic ability. But in the end, you can’t count on any of these things. What you can count on is God. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not wrong to have money or nice clothes. What’s wrong is to count on these things as if they are what life is all about. That’s idolatry. And that’s foolish. Living God’s way and making what’s important to Him important to you will lead you to a happy tomorrow and a happy forever.
When we read…Hosea 2 a minute ago, I’d like to point out that this passage has really jumped out at Christians in China. It’s true. Christians and missionaries in China are praying that God will take away the good things in America, the things most Americans hold over God. Sounds mean, huh? That’s what I thought at first. But really, they’re point of view is that they are helping us, that it’s for our own good. They think we focus too much on other things and not enough on God, where as in China, everyone is so poor, the only thing they can focus on is their Savior. Now, I’ll admit that America does not dwell fully upon God, but I have actually been praying for the reverse—that because of America’s economic growth, people here will realize that they got it all from God.
As all good things come to an end…so does this issue of One Voice Bible Study. Now let’s prepare our hearts to pray. Go somewhere your siblings won’t bug you. Maybe you can even use some prayer activities we talked about in the last bible study issue. Remember, you’re praying to God. Respect Him, but remember that He wants you to feel comfortable talking to Him.
Pray for someone you don't really care much about. Really. That girl who slouches in her chair, hoping to become invisible. Or that boy who gets into so much trouble just because he wants someone to notice him. C'mon, you know a kid who really is shunned by everyone else. Pray for that person. Pray that they will be blessed and that people will see them for who they really are. Pray that they will shine. And really mean it. That's the hardest part.
Wait a second…isn’t this the same as "No other gods"? A little bit.
You don’t think I have an idol?! Uh, yeah, I do. My idol…well, I really don’t know what it is, but I am 90% sure there is something in my life that I’m holding higher than God. In the last couple of weeks, however, I’ve really gotten closer to Him, and I’m casting away my idols. Some previous ones I’ve had are my looks. Oh, I still want to look great. And I can’t leave a room without looking in the mirror. But I’m not obsessing so much anymore. In God’s eyes, my looks on the inside should be a whole lot prettier than the looks on the outside. Maybe you’re idol isn’t looks. But you do have an idol. Yep. So maybe it isn’t a potbellied statue that sits on a shelf. Is it your dad? He’s the coolest, isn’t he? Or maybe video games. Ugh, I absolutely hate how kids these days are spending all day playing video games. But video games are ok, as long as you want to be with God more than you want to be zooming Mario through a strange village to rescue Princess Peach.
Open your bible…to Isaiah 44:6-20. Isaiah goes into a detailed process of how men obsess over idols that they made themselves! Many people, even today, worship man-made idols. And all the people in the world have had idols, and probably didn’t even know it. A common idol is money. I’m not saying money is bad. I’m just saying that compared to God, money is worth as much an old raisin found under the couch cushions.
Flip to…Hosea 2, which shows that God’s people were unfaithful. No matter how good God was to them, they still worshiped idols. But God continued to love His people, knowing that without Him they were lost! So He took away their good things—not to destroy them, but to bring them to their senses—so that once again they would turn to Him and receive His blessing.
The bible says…Idols can’t help. In Isaiah 44:6-20, Isaiah pokes fun at people who cut down a tree, use part of it for firewood, and then carve an idol from the rest. Then they bow down and pray to that hunk of wood! People today are often just as foolish, counting on the wrong things to help them. Some count on wealth, others on popularity. Some count on stylish clothes, other on athletic ability. But in the end, you can’t count on any of these things. What you can count on is God. Don’t misunderstand. It’s not wrong to have money or nice clothes. What’s wrong is to count on these things as if they are what life is all about. That’s idolatry. And that’s foolish. Living God’s way and making what’s important to Him important to you will lead you to a happy tomorrow and a happy forever.
When we read…Hosea 2 a minute ago, I’d like to point out that this passage has really jumped out at Christians in China. It’s true. Christians and missionaries in China are praying that God will take away the good things in America, the things most Americans hold over God. Sounds mean, huh? That’s what I thought at first. But really, they’re point of view is that they are helping us, that it’s for our own good. They think we focus too much on other things and not enough on God, where as in China, everyone is so poor, the only thing they can focus on is their Savior. Now, I’ll admit that America does not dwell fully upon God, but I have actually been praying for the reverse—that because of America’s economic growth, people here will realize that they got it all from God.
As all good things come to an end…so does this issue of One Voice Bible Study. Now let’s prepare our hearts to pray. Go somewhere your siblings won’t bug you. Maybe you can even use some prayer activities we talked about in the last bible study issue. Remember, you’re praying to God. Respect Him, but remember that He wants you to feel comfortable talking to Him.
Pray for someone you don't really care much about. Really. That girl who slouches in her chair, hoping to become invisible. Or that boy who gets into so much trouble just because he wants someone to notice him. C'mon, you know a kid who really is shunned by everyone else. Pray for that person. Pray that they will be blessed and that people will see them for who they really are. Pray that they will shine. And really mean it. That's the hardest part.
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